UPDATED: DEC 18, 2013 Sometimes, I wonder why it is that I like Bells so much. Oh—I recall—Hopslam. And this. And it’s an interesting parallel: while the Hopslam sports an enviable hop profile, this one stands out on account of its spectacular malt bill. The aroma is dark, sumptuous, and sexy, with dried fruits (figs, raisins, prunes) fighting with overripe ones (cherries, plums) for attention, all on a background of wood, vanilla, brown sugar, molasses, and toffee. The taste is strong, with a a woody, boozy bitter and sweet, fruity undertones. Bitter malts and piney hops linger in the aftertaste. The alcohol is very much perceivable, but it isn’t intrusive. The mouthfeel is absolutely fantastic: viscous, creamy, fulfilling. Dangerously close to perfection, although a tad too filling. God, it’s such a mess. A filthy, sexy mess.

12 oz. bottle from Liquor Barn (Jefferson Commons); not quite a year old. Aroma: Moderate raisin liqueur; moderate molasses; light dog vitamin; very light Pinot Noir with hints of plum and leather. Appearance: Dark ruby brown pour with a bubbly tan head that settles into a bubbly, wispy ring. Flavor: Raisin and molasses notes feature heavily here, but not to the detriment of the rest; the finish has a leathery quality, and dries out about as well as a beer this strength can. Palate: Full body, very sticky texture, very soft carbonation, long finish. Overall: Very good, especially for being under three bucks a bottle. An inexpensive beer that allows you to see the effects of cellaring on a budget.

At cellar temperature and into a brandy snifter. It is radiant when held to the lights but is misted by a lot of fine sediment caught in suspension. Like a good Barleywine the head is short lived replaced instead by oily, viscous legs. The body a deep, burnished copper. Thick and rich, melanoidens and savoury fruit mince nose hinting at fresh baked fruit cake dowsed in sherry. There is a hint of vanillin and milk chocolate, earth and oak underneath that gives complexity. A little rough on the palate. Twiggy bark atop earthy, spicy hops in the very back broaden the chewy, meaty malts. Nice, sweet, toffee and burnt caramel front with the generous, savoury minced fruit of nose playing on the mid-palate. Rolling it around it cedes up the alcohol in a hugely peppery effort. Bitter and lasting finish that holds a lot of warmth and ashen, earthy, musty notes. More English than U.S in style - which I love - so hoping the bitterness dulls after a few years of cellaring. The body is good and the carbonation low to medium with an oily finish stripped short only by the alcohol. Well rounded with a lot going on. I love it so a few bottles away for a few years is a must! (12fl.Oz, bottled 30/10/14, The Liquor Shed, Jandakot)

Draft from Whole Foods. Here is a big barley wine with lots of everything: hoppy bite, caramel sweetness, and abv. A bit of sweaty funk mixed with flowers in the nose. A nice amber glow in the pour. Lots of hop bitterness in the finish and a strong impression on the palate. BW is not my top style, but this is another very good release from Bell’s.

Bells makes some pretty incredible beers, the third coast ale is no exception. For such high gravity (10.2%) it is one of the tastiest beers full or malty hints and caramel overtones.
---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

Old rating. Pours a very hazy dark orange with a small off-white head. Sweet aroma of hops, caramel malt, brown sugar, lots of fruit and alcohol. Taste starts with caramel malt, brown sugar, fruit and alcohol and finishes with a nice hoppy bitterness. Medium bodied. Complex and well balanced.

Join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community.
Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings.
Click here to create your account... and give your opinion!